Mobile data plans have been taking the highway to the data cap for a few years now, and T-Mobile is petitioning the competition to change the trend and stop ripping off the consumer. Verizon was the first to stop allowing unlimited data on their network, but we usually forgive them because their reception is usually the best wherever we go.

Now the other major cellular providers are doing the same thing, and it seemed T-Mobile was as well. Could this also eventually lead to unlimited data plans for WiFi hotspots as well? As previously reported by The Inquisitr, Microsoft’s “vision of the future” could lead to some expensive games if we’re unable to use a cable connection.

With this new petition, T-Mobile may just cause a chain reaction to save the future of video games from becoming available only to the rich. For the moment though, T-Mobile is challenging AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon to end the trend of limiting their mobile data plans on cellular and smartphone consumers and forcing massive fees for going even a kilobyte over the data allowed.

The mobile phone company took to Change.org with a petition for the public to sign, requesting the others to follow their lead and instead of capping the data after so many megabytes, simply reduce the bandwidth. They are only charging extra to open the bandwidth for a given amount of time.

T-Mobile CEO John Legere stated for the public, “Charging overage fees is a greedy, predatory practice that needs to go. Starting in May for bills arriving in June – regardless of whether you’re on Simple Choice, Simple Starter or an older plan, we’re abolishing overages for good. Period.”

I’m seriously thinking about leaving @VerizonWireless and heading over to @TMobile my bill is too high for me to not have unlimited data

Of course the other carriers aren’t so eager to embrace the chance to save the consumer money. Sprint responded with what sounds suspiciously like a press release advertisement:

“Customers can sign T-Mobile’s petition or they and their friends and family can sign-up for the Sprint Framily Plan with unlimited data and don’t have to worry about overages or running out of data and having to purchase more during the month. For as little as $45 a month, Sprint customers can get worry-free, unlimited talk, text and data on the Sprint Framily Plan while on the Sprint network.”

That doesn’t do much for the single adult living alone, who wouldn’t be able to take advantage of Sprint’s mobile data plans. What if all of your friends use different carriers and they’re satisfied with them? A comparison of all of the options available still makes T-Mobile at least look like they’re trying to help the consumer instead of milking all the money they can for every extra inch of freedom like Verizon does.

“Today I’m laying down a challenge to AT&T, Verizon and Sprint to join T-Mobile in ending these outrageous overage penalties for all consumers – because it’s the right thing to do. Overage fees are flat out wrong. Agree with me? Join me in putting this challenge to all the major national carriers by signing my petition on Change.org. Right here. Take one minute to be a part of this consumer movement. The worst thing about these overage fees is that they’re often inflicted on those who can least afford them. As an advocate for consumers, we’re putting a stop to that. I personally won’t be satisfied until we obliterate this shameful practice from the entire wireless industry.”

Will you sign T-Mobile’s petition to end overage fees on mobile data plans? Perhaps their next move will be to make their customer service better.